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Suits and Accessories for Law Firms, 1L

Ducksworth

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Found this forum and wish I had BEFORE I just bought the most expensive piece of clothing I own. Hoping to get some fashion advice:

I own a dark Charchoal cerutti that I love, but after wearing it for probably 3-4 days a week straight, I decided it's time to get another one. I just bought a Zegna in navy for $599, which turned into $750 w/ tax and alterations. It was a nice cut (from what I can tell) and fit really well, obviously I'm having it altered also, but my concern is that it's too blue. I was hoping for a so-dark-you-can't-tell-it's-blue, but the other option was a DKNY that just didn't feel right, or a Hugo Boss that was also $599, and from my limited lurking on this forum that just didn't seem as good a deal. Will someone talk me into it being ok that my suit is extremely blue? I will post pics as soon as I get it back.

To get to the meat of my question though, what do I wear with a blue suit? Black belt/shoes ok? What kind of tie and where are some good places to get them?

Thanks!
 

lee_44106

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good lord, will you grow a pair?
facepalm.gif


There's nothing you can do about the Zegna suit now, as you've paid for alteration. Just wear it and enjoy it. Had you not discover the forum you've be perfectly happy.


BTW, the Zegna is probably Z Zegna, the diffusion line of Zegna. Quality wise it's the same as the Hugo Boss that you've come to hate.

Lurk more, learn more. Use the search function button on top.
 

munchausen

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As long as it's dark blue and not some ridiculous color then you can wear mostly whatever you want. Black shoes and belt are fine but imo brown or tan looks better during the day. Your options on ties are wide open.
 

harpsers

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Are you wanting to know how to dress for the firm?

Most lawyers dress conservatively (for example - the pocket square, braces, patch pocket stuff you see on here may not be appropriate) - white or blue shirts, conservative ties. Black shoes are fine, but make sure they are always polished. If your summering, it really doesn't matter - just try not to stand out. Same goes for interviewing (with the shoe polishing being the most important - partners will notice). Once you're practicing, you will notice differences between litigators and corporate guys, young and old, etc.
 

TheFoo

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Originally Posted by Working Stiff
Go to the conservative business dress WAYWRN thread. Do not post. Just look at the pictures.

"conservative business dress" =/= good. Also, not everything in that thread is conservative business dress.

A blue suit is as conservative as things get. Unless it's an obnoxious shade, it's fine. No need to pick a blue that is undiscernable from blue.
 

nayr1982

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Are you a 1L or first year associate? And your firm requires suits....then surely they pay you enough to buy at least 4 in the 750-1000 price range no?

I thought market pay was 160k in most markets that would require a suit everyday, sorry I'm confused.

If you are a working 1st year at a firm requiring a suit then go buy a couple of brooks suits in char and navy or variations thereof. Seems like they can be had for $500 each fairly easily, 4 suits = 2 grand, or about a weeks pay for a 1st year?

Keep "accessories" to a minimum, ie conservative watch and done. Stock up on basic solid light blue, white shirts and conservative ties.

You should NOT take advice from people here on what is acceptable in your firm. Make a mental note of what the various partners wear. If I wanted to stand out I would try and do so with work product and not dress. What you are wearing will likely only hurt you.

Keep it basic, conservative and don't draw any attention to yourself with your clothing until you feel more established from a work perspective at the firm.
 

phxlawstudent

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Originally Posted by nayr1982
I thought market pay was 160k in most markets that would require a suit everyday, sorry I'm confused.

I ******* wish! The more often you go to court for your job, the lower your salary, for first year associates/lawyers.

The 160k/year jobs are reserved for the top 20% of the graduates from the top 20 law schools. An exaggeration, but reality isn't too far from that statement.

Most lawyers start at $60-80k nationally. Based from the last published national statistic I read from the ABA.
 

munchausen

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If you have a job that pays 165 as a 1st year lawyer, you don't have time to go to Brooks Bros.
 

Klobber

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Originally Posted by lee_44106
good lord, will you grow a pair?
facepalm.gif


There's nothing you can do about the Zegna suit now, as you've paid for alteration. Just wear it and enjoy it. Had you not discover the forum you've be perfectly happy.


BTW, the Zegna is probably Z Zegna, the diffusion line of Zegna. Quality wise it's the same as the Hugo Boss that you've come to hate.

Lurk more, learn more. Use the search function button on top.


+ 1. Wear it and enjoy it.

General opinion here is blue beats black. If you want a blue / navy suit that is so dark as to be black like, then the color you are after is midnight blue. Trouble with midnight blue is the word night - not a word commonly associated with daytime formal wear. Midnight blue is perhaps too dark for daytime use and will fall in with the black suit category IMO. Dark blue, Navy and Dark Navy are classic conservative suit staples. Medium blue on the slightly darker side is also very fine. You probably did great with the color and are fussing for no good reason (unless your suit is some kind of electric blue or shiny blue).
 

SirGrotius

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Blue is fine. I have a good idea of what blue you're talking about since it's Z Zegna. Good choice passing up the DKNY! Sounds like A LOT of alterations for that price range, though.

Wearing the same suit three or four days a week is a major no. People will start thinking you're insane or something.

Anyway, the blue works just don't bother with a black suit or the browns since you're in a conservative field. Next suit go navy then a lighter gray if you want to do something different on Fridays.
 

Grenadier

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Originally Posted by munchausen
If you have a job that pays 165 as a 1st year lawyer, you don't have time to go to Brooks Bros.
1.2 hours - Strategize presentation of issues for upcoming hearing
 

Kuro

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Originally Posted by mafoofan
Also, most of the outfits in that thread are not conservative business dress.

.


ftfy
 

gungadin25

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The only colors that go with blue are more blue. Actually, a lighter brown might look OK. Next time stay with the conservative colors. Plus, unless you work for a conservative firm, lawyers don't actually wear suits all that often.
 

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